72 Time Out Melbourne December 2012–January 2013

Fort Worth, Texas

When Qantas launched direct flights to Dallas-Fort Worth last year to provide better connections to the US East Coast, it also opened up direct access to two of the great cities of Texas. While Dallas may take most of the limelight, the neighbouring city of Fort Worth is a hidden gem in the Southwest US. Established in 1849 as an outpost following the Mexican-American War, Fort Worth became a stop on the cattle trail and the centre of the ranching industry. Today it offers a unique getaway combining cowboys, culture and hip bars and restaurants. See and doOn most weekends you can grab a beer and watch the rodeo at the Fort Worth Stock Yards, a short drive from downtown. The rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum features bronco riding, calf roping and

Grab your Stetson and pull on your boots for a town that’s taking the reins for tourism in Texas. By James Wilkinson

mutton busting – in which kids in helmets cling to the backs of startled sheep (YouTube it, it’s hilarious). 500 NE 23rd St, Fort Worth. +1 817 624 4741. www.fortworthstockyards.org.

Located in the stock yards is Billy Bob’s, the world’s largest ‘honky tonk’ (country music bar) holding over 4,000 people and featuring a professional bull-riding arena, concert stage (regularly featuring guests like Willie Nelson) and dance floors where the Texas Shuffle is king. 2520 Rodeo Pl, Fort Worth. +1 817 624 7117. billybobstexas.com.

The city’s Cultural District is home to several world-class museums, all adjacent to each other on Camp Bowie Boulevard. The National Cowgirl Museum (www.cowgirl.net) tells the stories of the pioneer women of the West. Amon Carter Museum of American Art

(www.cartermuseum.org) specialises in American photography. The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (www.themodern.org) has Warhols, Pollocks, Rothkos and a sublime architectural design by Tadao Ando. Time Out’s pick, the Kimbell Art Museum, is home to Michelangelo’s first work, ‘The Torment of Saint Anthony’ (c1488) (www.kimbellart.org).

Downtown Fort Worth’s Sundance Square is at the heart of the action in the city and must-dos in and around the Square include the JFK Monument, Sid Richardson Museum, Peters Brothers Hats and the Retro Cowboy store. When

they are playing a home game in nearby Arlington, the Dallas Cowboys are the hottest sporting ticket in Texas. Catch a game at the imposing $1.4 billion Jerry Jones Stadium. www.dallascowboys.com.

At Firestone and Robertson, take a tour of this converted warehouse and sample the boutique TX Blended Whiskey that’s fast become a bartender’s favourite in dens across the state. 901 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth. +1 817 840 9140. www.frdistilling.com.

Eat and drinkThe Near Southside district has been undergoing a gentrification in

TravelEdited by James Wilkinsontimeout.com/melbourne/travel

Sundance Square

Fort Worth Stockyards

Firestone and Robertson

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December 2012–January 2013 Time Out Melbourne 73

Seeking sun, sand, surf?...

01 Waikiki, Honolulu, HawaiiFrom return airfares for under a grand on Hawaiian to the $7 Mai Tais at Rum Fire at the Sheraton Waikiki, the $30 surfing lessons from Star Beachboys and discount clothing at the Waikele discount outlets, there is serious bang-for-buck on offer in Hawaii right now. See big-wave surfing on the North Shore and learn Hawaii’s war history at Pearl Harbor. Stay at The Modern (www.themodernhonolulu.com) and get there on Hawaiian Airlines (www.hawaiianair.com).

02 Manly, Sydney, NSWManly on Sydney’s North Shore has great bars and cool restaurants, alongside some of the best surf on the East Coast. Great pints are to be had at the Four Pines Brewing Company, while at Miss Marley’s Tequila Bar, order their signature, a tequila tasting flight. Learn to surf at Manly Surf School or to see the best of what’s underwater, visit the Manly Sea Life Sanctuary. Stay at Novotel Manly Pacific (www.accorhotels.com.au) and get there on Qantas (www.qantas.com). 03 Seminyak, Bali, IndonesiaGet spacious ocean-view rooms, restaurants, bar and nightclub at the W Retreat and Spa Bali Seminyak, the most happening hotel to ever open its doors on the island. It’s a short hop from great restaurants and bars like Ku De Ta, Potato Head, Sarong, Mama San and Metis. Grab a cab or rent a bike and do lunch at Deus Ex Machina’s

Five great... Summer beach escapes

café in upcoming Canggu, or dine at Starfish Bloo and get cocktails served poolside from Woobar. Stay at W Bali (www.whotels.com) and get there on Garuda Indonesia (www.garuda-indonesia.com). 04 Noosa, Sunshine Coast, QldNoosa’s golden sands and local produce draws in southerners year-round. Hot tables at the moment include Thomas Corner Eatery in Noosaville under former River House owner David Rayner. See a different side of Noosa on a stand-up paddle board, available from Noosa Heads Boat Hire, or spend the day at Eumumdi Markets. Stay at Outrigger Little Hastings Street Noosa (www.outrigger.com) and get there on Virgin Australia (www.virginaustralia.com). 05 Muri Beach, Rarotonga, Cook IslandsThink an even more laid back version of Fiji and the friendliest people in the South Pacific. Muri Beach is a romantic’s paradise, if your idea of heaven is cocktails in hammocks, snorkelling, diving and fresh seafood. Go for cocktails at Barefoot Bar and order up some freshly caught fish at Sandals Restaurant. Stay at Pacific Resort Rarotonga (www.pacificresort.com) and get there on Air New Zealand (www.airnz.com.au).

recent years with new bars, cafés and restaurants in converted buildings along Magnolia Avenue. Located in a former gas station, Ellerbe Fine Foods offers farm-to-table cuisine in a unique setting: ‘patio’ dining is where petrol bowsers once were. 1501 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth. +1 817 926 3663. www.ellerbefinefoods.com. Across the road, you’ll find the best Hemingway Daiquiris in town at The Usual and a couple of food trucks parked out the back. 1408 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth. +1 817 810 0114. theusualbar.com.

Brewed is where locals in the know head for barista coffee, craft beer, a great lunch menu, an outdoor terrace and free Wi-Fi. Order a White Rascal craft brew or an espresso and a mac and cheese. 801 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth. +1 817 945 1545. brewedfw.com.

The best Tex Mex in Fort Worth is found at Joe T Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant, served up in the lively patio garden that seats 1,000. 2201 N Commerce St, Fort Worth. +1 817 626 4356. www.joets.com.

Where to stayDowntown, the Omni Hotel Fort Worth offers comfortable and modern guest rooms, bars and restaurants, including Whiskey & Rye, where the Manhattans and Whiskey Sours are made with a true Texan kick. 1300 Houston St, Fort Worth. +1 817 535 6664. www.omnihotels.com. A two-hour drive from Fort Worth outside the small town of Graham is Wildcatter Ranch, known for horseback riding, four-wheel ATV tours, archery and clay target shooting. 6062 Highway 16, Graham. +1 940 549 3500. www.wildcatterranch.com. Get thereQantas (www.qantas.com) flies daily to Dallas-Fort Worth via Sydney. Airports don’t come better than Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal D. On arrival, expect short lines at immigration. When you’re ready to fly home, the terminal offers 30 restaurants and bars, an art tour, walking track and yoga studio. www.dfwairport.com.

Ellerbe Fine Foods

The rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum

W Retreat and Spa Bali Seminyak

01

Travel

74 Time Out Melbourne December 2012–January 2013

This summer in Sydney

Sydney FestivalOver the summer, Sydney is a feast of food, culture and colour and the centre of that smorgasbord is Sydney Festival. Highlights in 2013 include proto-punk opera Semele Walk at Sydney Town Hall, in which Vivienne Westwood’s outrageous costumes collide with Handel’s Semele, Berlin ensemble Kaleidoskop and the Sydney Philharmonic Choirs. At Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres Circocolombia reinvent circus as URBAN, a high-voltage event of acrobatics and music. From Switzerland comes Eraritjaritjaka, a music, voice and movement show based on the diary entries of Nobel laureate Elias Canetti. And Ireland’s Fabulous Beast return with Rian, a dynamic celebration of Celtic dance spiced with West African dance. Sydney’s story is also reborn as The Secret River, an adaptation of Kate

Sydney in summer is hot to trot with music, art, dance, theatre, opera, illumination ...and fireworks from Kylie

Grenville’s beloved novel of convict settlement, premiering at Sydney Theatre. Good times for gratis? Head to the Domain for Summer Sounds (Jan 12) and Symphony in the Domain (Jan 26) featuring The Sound of Kubrick: music from A Clockwork Orange, Eyes Wide Shut and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Around Sydney. 1300 668 812. www.sydneyfestival.org.au. Jan 5-27.

Sydney international Art Series: Anish KapoorExclusive to Sydney, this major exhibition by London artist Anish Kapoor activates over two floors to display enormo-sculptures like 24-tonne ‘Memory’ (2008) that have won Kapoor his fame. “Sculpture takes a hell of a long time,” he told Time Out. “It’s only over a period of time that repetition leads to innovation. A work has one kind of

life inside the studio and another outside. [Then] it either enters the psyche or becomes just one more thing in the world.” Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 140 George St, Sydney 2000. 02 9245 2400. www.mca.com.au. $15-$20. Dec 20-Apr 1.

Sydney New Year’s EveShowgirl and icon Kylie Minogue is the creative ambassador of SNYE. Together with pyro technician Fortunato Foti, she will bring the night’s theme of ‘Embrace’ to sparkling life, most vividly through the Harbour of Light Parade, a flotilla of brightly lit vessels spanning Cockatoo Island in the west to Clark Island in the east. Around Sydney. www.sydneynew yearseve.com. Mon Dec 31.

More events? sydney.com.

SydneyFor more things to do this monthtimeout.com/sydney

When it comes to beachwear, Sydney sashays with the best

Camilla Vibrant, playful and oh-so-Sydney, Camilla Franks’ airy kaftans in

a kaleidescope of colours and hues are perfect for floating across the beach... and then barefoot-and-beautiful into a sandy bars. 132a Warners Ave, Bondi Beach 2026. 02 9130 1430. www.camilla.com.au.

Palm Beach CoutureFashionista Helene Esdaile runs this chic shop at the flash end of

the upper northern beaches and does a roaring trade in exotic colouful accesories: hats, beads, sarongs, flats and jewellery. Shop 5, 1105 Barrenjoey Rd, Palm Beach 2108. 02 9974 4277. www.palmbeachcouture.com.au.

Triple BullA mecca for surfers and swimwear seekers in the south, this shop, run by

ex-pro waxhead Richard Marsh, offers a huge range of apparel and accessories. Walls and floors are piled high with hip hardgoods – boards, wetsuits, flippers and more. 23 Kingsway, Cronulla 2230. 02 9544 0354. www.triplebull.com.au.

Mambo WholesaleThe kings of irreverent Sydney surfwear (and the 2000 Olympic athlete

uniforms) shift their über-cool tees, shorts, bikinis and accessories here at cut price. Misbehaving dogs and lurid flowers have never cut such a rug. 400 Pittwater Rd, North Manly 2100. 02 9907 1266.

Puff n StuffBondi’s golden-skinned pretty things love their dirty cheap one-offs,

threadbare band T-shirts, cowboy boots, floaty dresses and envy-inducing vintage items spanning the 1950s-70s. 3/96 Glenayr Ave, Bondi 2026. 02 9130 8471.

Top 5 Beach boutiques

Sydney Festival

Anish Kapoor, ‘Void’ (1989) Anish Kapoor, ‘1,000 Names’ (1979-80)

Sydney New Year’s Eve

Camilla

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December 2012–January 2013 Time Out Melbourne 75

Short break: Sydney… to Blue MountainsClimb into the clouds and taste blue-ribbon living

heading to Sydney? Stay a few extra days and explore more great short breaks, things to do, deals and accommodation at visitnsw.com

For a quick-fix retreat to sooth city stresses, the Blue Mountains can’t be beaten for proximity, affordability and sheer beauty. This is a landscape untouched by time, where spectacular cliffs and pristine forests shelter a vibrant hive of hotels, restaurants, cafés, shops and delightful surprises.

The climb into the mountains winds through sleepy towns named for explorers Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth who conquered this path in 1813. Restaurant Como (134 Great Western Hwy, Blaxland 2774, 02 4739 8555) is a great place to pit-stop and taste history via a degustation or a snack. If you fancy lingering, Storey Grange (105 Lalor Dr, Springwood 2777, 02 4751 2672, www.storeygrange.com) offers self-contained cottages sitting bang in the National Park.

The Norman Lindsay Gallery is set amidst landscaped flora at nearby Faulconbridge. once home to the saucy Australian artist and author of classic The Magic Pudding, it now offers exhibitions, accommodation, a café and limited-edition Lindsay prints and books for sale. 14 Norman Lindsay Cr, Faulconbridge 2776. 02 4751 1067.

To bed down hereabouts try the retro-tastic (and pet-friendly) Fairmont Resort (1 Sublime Point Rd, Leura 2780, 02 4785 0000, www.fairmontresort.com.au) which offers helicopter tours of the local wineries. And before you hit the heart of the mountains, visit Bygone Beautys (22 Grose

St, Leura 2780, 02 4784 3117) where antiques and collectibles abound, and the organic café Leura Garage (84 Railway Pde, Leura 2780, 02 4784 3391) for their signature muffuletta sandwiches. Cruise through to Echo Point to see the Three Sisters, one of Australia’s most famous rock formations created, according to Aboriginal legend, when beautiful teenage girls were turned to stone by a medicine man wanting to protect their chastity forever.

once a mining village, Katoomba is now a boomtown of rejuvenation. The Carrington Hotel (15-47 Katoomba St, Katoomba 2780,

02 4782 1111, www.thecarrington.com.au) has heritage cool and Yindi Day Spa. Lunch at mod-oz diner Avalon (8-18 Katoomba St, Katoomba 2780, 02 4782 5532) or have Euro fare at Swiss Cottage. 132 Lurline St, Katoomba 2780. 02 4782 2281.

Drive on to Harrow Cottages (21 Brentwood Ave, Blackheath 2785, 02 4787 8281, www.harrowcottages.com) then dinner at Vulcans, the best restaurant in the Mountains. 33 Govettes Leap Rd, Blackheath 2785. 02 4787 6899. Fancy a final flurry? Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa (2600 Wolgan Rd, Wolgan Valley 2790, 02 9290 9733, www.wolganvalley.com) is a five-star resort where each suite has its own pool!

Getting there? It’s an easy 90-minute drive. Simply head west from the CBD along Parramatta Rd then onto the M4 Motorway.

Time Out + Destination NSW

Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa

Leura Garage

Travel

Save time and money on your trip to Britain at visitbritainshop.com For the latest news, follow us at weibo.com/visitbritain

For centuries, villages andtowns all over Britain havecelebrated winter withfestivals, music and speciallocal recipes. Although the

British Christmas as we know it todayhas its roots in the family gatheringwhich Queen Victoria and PrinceAlbert made fashionable – completewith Christmas trees and presents –this season has a heritage of wonderful occasions, not leastHogmanay in Scotland to welcomein a brand new year.

Christmas shoppingWhether you are gift shopping orlooking for an outfit to dazzle duringthe party season, there are great stylehot spots all over Britain.

In Scotland, Princes Square in

Christmas in Great BritainFrom sumptuously decorated country houses and delicious festive foods to fabulous shoppingstreets and Victorian-styled markets, a visit to Britain at this time of year is truly magical

Glasgow is a speciality shopping centrewith fashion stores and jewellers(www.princessquare.co.uk). Come herefor Belstaff and Vivienne Westwoodand stay to enjoy one of the restaurantsthat count among Glasgow’s finestdining experiences.

Near Oxford, in the heart of theEnglish countryside, is BicesterVillage, a stylish bargain-hunter’sdream (www.bicestervillage.com).Visitors from all over the world headfor this retail destination, wherediscount stores for major fashionbrands from Alexander McQueen toYves Saint Laurent are laid out morelike a collection of village stores ratherthan a mall, open until 8pm fromMonday to Saturday.

Victoria Square in Belfast is anelegant glass-domed mall in the

heart of Northern Ireland’s style district(www.victoriasquare.com), and in theWelsh capital, Cardiff, the stunning St David’s Shopping Centre is afavourite with fashionistas who want to browse the likes of Kurt Geiger and Jo Malone (www.stdavidscardiff.com).Cardiff’s pedestrianised Queen’sStreet also boasts an incredibleshopping selection, from charmingarcades to department stores.

In London, in addition to flagshipstores like Selfridges on Oxford Streetand Burberry on Regent Street, thereare some wonderful boutiques andmarket stalls all within easy walkingdistance of each other, in the traffic-freestreets and piazza of Covent Garden(www.coventgardenlondonuk.com).Just off Piccadilly, Burlington Arcadeis a trip into the past, with genteel

boutiques lining its elegant coveredavenue.

Christmas marketsStalls filled with handmade crafts and delicious seasonal food makespecial Yuletide markets a fun trip outeven when you’re just browsing and not buying. In beautiful locationsaround the country, Christmas markets are often accompanied bychoirs singing carols and a chance tosample delights like fruit-filled mincepies and mulled wine.

In the medieval city of York, musicand decorated wooden huts add to themagical atmosphere (Dec 8-23,www.visityork.org) and in Bath, theGeorgian streets around Bath Abbeyand the Roman Baths are transformedinto a Christmas market where you

can stock up on unusual gifts, sweettreats and decorations (Nov 22-Dec 9,www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk).

In London, shoppers can take in thesights along the River Thames whilethey tour the Southbank WinterFestival. Here there is a wealth ofsideshows, including dark comiccabaret, candlelit classical concerts andeven opera. With choral singing by theriver and dancing in the Royal FestivalHall, there is also a chance for visitors to make Christmas cards and presents,and check out the Real FoodChristmas Market and ChocolateFestival (Nov 16-Jan 7, www.southbankcentre.co.uk).

Cool castles Outside the cities there are markets in stunning settings that add to theexcitement and expectation of thecoming celebrations. With thebackdrop of Picton Castle inHaverfordwest in west Wales, theChristmas market is a chance to have a glimpse into Christmas past andexplore the rooms and castle decoratedfor a Victorian celebration, with acalendar of seasonal activities and afree glass of mulled wine (Nov 24-25,www.pictoncastle.co.uk). TheCaerphilly Medieval ChristmasFayre takes over the whole of thisWelsh castle town with stalls and streetentertainment. As well as the temptingaroma of a hog roast, there will bedragon puppeteers, Jack the Jester and a medieval magician (Dec 8-9, www.caerphilly.gov.uk).

At the Robert Burns BirthplaceMuseum in Ayrshire, Scotland, there is an inspirational Christmas market(Nov 27, www.burnsmuseum.org.uk) and across the country, as far as the Isle of Bute, there are chances toshop outdoors under twinkling lights,warmed by festive goodies.

Romantic ice rinksNothing brings to mind a sweet,seasonal mood quite like a spin on theice, hanging on to someone special!Even if you just fancy watching yourfriends taking a glide around, iceskating is a fun Christmas pastime thathas become incredibly popular in theUK in recent years. Rinks are at theirmost charming during eveningsessions, when atmospheric lightingcompletes the picturesque scene.

With the historic Tower of Londonas its setting, the ice rink in the moat ofthe old royal castle on the Thames isone of the favourites in the capital. Sipon a hot chocolate as you considerwhether to pull on a pair of skates andtake to the ice yourself (Nov 17-Jan 6,www.toweroflondonicerink.com).

In Edinburgh, Scotland, one ofEurope’s largest open-air rinks is inEast Princes Street Gardens (Nov 24-Jan 4, www.edinburghchristmas.com) and in Brighton on the south coast of England, visitors can round off a day’s shopping in theboutiques of the Lanes by heading forthe ice rink in front of the splendidRoyal Pavilion palace. Celebrity chefJamie Oliver provides Fabulous Feasts, a rinkside bar-restaurant(Nov 10-Jan 20,www.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk).

Country pleasuresMany parts of Great Britain look aspretty as a Christmas card in the depths of winter, with fields andmountaintops covered in snow, andfrosty lanes to wander down to seewhere holly and mistletoe grow wild.

At Westonbirt Arboretumin Gloucestershire the forest isilluminated for magical forest walks at An Enchanted Christmas(Nov 30-Dec 23,www.forestry.gov.uk).Revellers can follow thebeautifully lit trailunder the clear winternight sky, take part incraft activities suitablefor all ages, and eatroasted chestnuts whilecarol singers serenadethe gathered crowd.

Just half an hour out of London ismagnificent Waddesdon Manor inBuckinghamshire. Visitors can gazeupon the sparkling Christmasdecorations and each year there is aspecial theme to the decoration of theFrench château-style 19th-centurymanor’s sumptuous rooms. This year, traditional English scenes are theinspiration, with London landmarksBig Ben, Trafalgar Square andNelson’s Column all outlined in theOval Hall. English writers Dickens and

Shakespeare are celebrated and a feast fit for Victoria and Albert willbe laid out in the White Drawing Room (www.waddesdon.org.uk).

Many traditional castles and homes become the setting for specialseasonal evenings. At Ruthin CastleHotel in Wales, there is a medievalYuletide feast complete with Celticmead to drink and a taste of Welshculture in the entertainment laid on for

guests (£44 per person,www.ruthincastle.co.uk).

Explore theoutdoorsJust because theweather is not so warm,long walks in thebeautiful outdoors don’thave to wait until

spring. The countryside all acrossBritain offers stunning winter sceneryto enjoy. For those who prefer to followexpert guidance, there areorganisations like Call of the Wildwho put together group walks.

For Christmas there is a walk acrossthe breathtaking Brecon Beaconsmountains in south Wales, followed by a special Christmas dinner. For lots of ideas around the country, it’s worth checking out www.adventurebritain.com.

Traditional ChristmasA visit to Britain affords a glimpse ofthe much-loved Victorian Christmasexperience. The National Trust(www.nationaltrust.org.uk) cares forstately homes and parks of all sizes,many with special festive attractions.At Vyne Hall in Hampshire, visitorscan go on country walks and dine onfestive food in the Tudor Brewhouse,and in the West Country, the decoratedhall and log fires at Cotehele Hall inCornwall make visitors feel they havereally escaped the modern world. At the Christmas craft session atArlington Court in Devon there aresessions where adults can learn how to make decorations and Christmasstockings, and take home the results.

In the small, pretty Welsh capital,Cardiff, there is a VictorianChristmas Tour. By contrast, anothertradition in the far north of Scotland isthe Ba’ Games in Orkney – massrugby games where everyone joins thefun over Christmas and New Year. At www.visitbritain.com there are awealth of these regional events aroundwhich you can choose to build yourown unique winter stay.

New Year partiesThroughout the winter seasonnightclubs, restaurants and entiretowns lay on night-time events foryounger revellers.

In London and other cities, there arefireworks and entertainment on thestreets as the UK welcomes in 2013.

In Scotland, the wild celebrationsare based around what is calledHogmanay – the Scottish even have anextra day off to make the most of it!Glasgow and Edinburgh presentspectacular street parties and everyalehouse across the land will join in. At Stirling Castle there is a specialconcert as the bells chime in the NewYear, and a firework show (www.stirlinghogmanay.co.uk)

A season of ideas atVisitBritainFrom markets to walks, VisitBritainhas an inspirational website to guideyou to exactly the British holiday that you want. For example, did youknow there’s a rooftop cinema atLondon’s elegant Berkeley Hotelin Knightsbridge? Over Christmas,guests snuggle under blankets towatch classic movies with a festivetheme (www.the-berkeley.co.uk).

The VisitBritainwebsite is easy to search according to your particularbudget and interests. It also offersdetails of accomodation perfect forevery kind of stay, from stunning hotelsset within nature reserves to spa breaksand romantic lighthouse retreats for awinter break to remember.www.visitbritain.com

A visit to Britainaffords a glimpse

of a VictorianChristmas

Trafalgar Square, London

Edinburgh’s HogmanayTorchlight Procession Cardiff Castle tour

Waddesdon Manor Christmas celebrations in York

Tower of London ice rink Burlington Arcade, London

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Save time and money on your trip to Britain at visitbritainshop.com For the latest news, follow us at weibo.com/visitbritain

For centuries, villages andtowns all over Britain havecelebrated winter withfestivals, music and speciallocal recipes. Although the

British Christmas as we know it todayhas its roots in the family gatheringwhich Queen Victoria and PrinceAlbert made fashionable – completewith Christmas trees and presents –this season has a heritage of wonderful occasions, not leastHogmanay in Scotland to welcomein a brand new year.

Christmas shoppingWhether you are gift shopping orlooking for an outfit to dazzle duringthe party season, there are great stylehot spots all over Britain.

In Scotland, Princes Square in

Christmas in Great BritainFrom sumptuously decorated country houses and delicious festive foods to fabulous shoppingstreets and Victorian-styled markets, a visit to Britain at this time of year is truly magical

Glasgow is a speciality shopping centrewith fashion stores and jewellers(www.princessquare.co.uk). Come herefor Belstaff and Vivienne Westwoodand stay to enjoy one of the restaurantsthat count among Glasgow’s finestdining experiences.

Near Oxford, in the heart of theEnglish countryside, is BicesterVillage, a stylish bargain-hunter’sdream (www.bicestervillage.com).Visitors from all over the world headfor this retail destination, wherediscount stores for major fashionbrands from Alexander McQueen toYves Saint Laurent are laid out morelike a collection of village stores ratherthan a mall, open until 8pm fromMonday to Saturday.

Victoria Square in Belfast is anelegant glass-domed mall in the

heart of Northern Ireland’s style district(www.victoriasquare.com), and in theWelsh capital, Cardiff, the stunning St David’s Shopping Centre is afavourite with fashionistas who want to browse the likes of Kurt Geiger and Jo Malone (www.stdavidscardiff.com).Cardiff’s pedestrianised Queen’sStreet also boasts an incredibleshopping selection, from charmingarcades to department stores.

In London, in addition to flagshipstores like Selfridges on Oxford Streetand Burberry on Regent Street, thereare some wonderful boutiques andmarket stalls all within easy walkingdistance of each other, in the traffic-freestreets and piazza of Covent Garden(www.coventgardenlondonuk.com).Just off Piccadilly, Burlington Arcadeis a trip into the past, with genteel

boutiques lining its elegant coveredavenue.

Christmas marketsStalls filled with handmade crafts and delicious seasonal food makespecial Yuletide markets a fun trip outeven when you’re just browsing and not buying. In beautiful locationsaround the country, Christmas markets are often accompanied bychoirs singing carols and a chance tosample delights like fruit-filled mincepies and mulled wine.

In the medieval city of York, musicand decorated wooden huts add to themagical atmosphere (Dec 8-23,www.visityork.org) and in Bath, theGeorgian streets around Bath Abbeyand the Roman Baths are transformedinto a Christmas market where you

can stock up on unusual gifts, sweettreats and decorations (Nov 22-Dec 9,www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk).

In London, shoppers can take in thesights along the River Thames whilethey tour the Southbank WinterFestival. Here there is a wealth ofsideshows, including dark comiccabaret, candlelit classical concerts andeven opera. With choral singing by theriver and dancing in the Royal FestivalHall, there is also a chance for visitors to make Christmas cards and presents,and check out the Real FoodChristmas Market and ChocolateFestival (Nov 16-Jan 7, www.southbankcentre.co.uk).

Cool castles Outside the cities there are markets in stunning settings that add to theexcitement and expectation of thecoming celebrations. With thebackdrop of Picton Castle inHaverfordwest in west Wales, theChristmas market is a chance to have a glimpse into Christmas past andexplore the rooms and castle decoratedfor a Victorian celebration, with acalendar of seasonal activities and afree glass of mulled wine (Nov 24-25,www.pictoncastle.co.uk). TheCaerphilly Medieval ChristmasFayre takes over the whole of thisWelsh castle town with stalls and streetentertainment. As well as the temptingaroma of a hog roast, there will bedragon puppeteers, Jack the Jester and a medieval magician (Dec 8-9, www.caerphilly.gov.uk).

At the Robert Burns BirthplaceMuseum in Ayrshire, Scotland, there is an inspirational Christmas market(Nov 27, www.burnsmuseum.org.uk) and across the country, as far as the Isle of Bute, there are chances toshop outdoors under twinkling lights,warmed by festive goodies.

Romantic ice rinksNothing brings to mind a sweet,seasonal mood quite like a spin on theice, hanging on to someone special!Even if you just fancy watching yourfriends taking a glide around, iceskating is a fun Christmas pastime thathas become incredibly popular in theUK in recent years. Rinks are at theirmost charming during eveningsessions, when atmospheric lightingcompletes the picturesque scene.

With the historic Tower of Londonas its setting, the ice rink in the moat ofthe old royal castle on the Thames isone of the favourites in the capital. Sipon a hot chocolate as you considerwhether to pull on a pair of skates andtake to the ice yourself (Nov 17-Jan 6,www.toweroflondonicerink.com).

In Edinburgh, Scotland, one ofEurope’s largest open-air rinks is inEast Princes Street Gardens (Nov 24-Jan 4, www.edinburghchristmas.com) and in Brighton on the south coast of England, visitors can round off a day’s shopping in theboutiques of the Lanes by heading forthe ice rink in front of the splendidRoyal Pavilion palace. Celebrity chefJamie Oliver provides Fabulous Feasts, a rinkside bar-restaurant(Nov 10-Jan 20,www.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk).

Country pleasuresMany parts of Great Britain look aspretty as a Christmas card in the depths of winter, with fields andmountaintops covered in snow, andfrosty lanes to wander down to seewhere holly and mistletoe grow wild.

At Westonbirt Arboretumin Gloucestershire the forest isilluminated for magical forest walks at An Enchanted Christmas(Nov 30-Dec 23,www.forestry.gov.uk).Revellers can follow thebeautifully lit trailunder the clear winternight sky, take part incraft activities suitablefor all ages, and eatroasted chestnuts whilecarol singers serenadethe gathered crowd.

Just half an hour out of London ismagnificent Waddesdon Manor inBuckinghamshire. Visitors can gazeupon the sparkling Christmasdecorations and each year there is aspecial theme to the decoration of theFrench château-style 19th-centurymanor’s sumptuous rooms. This year, traditional English scenes are theinspiration, with London landmarksBig Ben, Trafalgar Square andNelson’s Column all outlined in theOval Hall. English writers Dickens and

Shakespeare are celebrated and a feast fit for Victoria and Albert willbe laid out in the White Drawing Room (www.waddesdon.org.uk).

Many traditional castles and homes become the setting for specialseasonal evenings. At Ruthin CastleHotel in Wales, there is a medievalYuletide feast complete with Celticmead to drink and a taste of Welshculture in the entertainment laid on for

guests (£44 per person,www.ruthincastle.co.uk).

Explore theoutdoorsJust because theweather is not so warm,long walks in thebeautiful outdoors don’thave to wait until

spring. The countryside all acrossBritain offers stunning winter sceneryto enjoy. For those who prefer to followexpert guidance, there areorganisations like Call of the Wildwho put together group walks.

For Christmas there is a walk acrossthe breathtaking Brecon Beaconsmountains in south Wales, followed by a special Christmas dinner. For lots of ideas around the country, it’s worth checking out www.adventurebritain.com.

Traditional ChristmasA visit to Britain affords a glimpse ofthe much-loved Victorian Christmasexperience. The National Trust(www.nationaltrust.org.uk) cares forstately homes and parks of all sizes,many with special festive attractions.At Vyne Hall in Hampshire, visitorscan go on country walks and dine onfestive food in the Tudor Brewhouse,and in the West Country, the decoratedhall and log fires at Cotehele Hall inCornwall make visitors feel they havereally escaped the modern world. At the Christmas craft session atArlington Court in Devon there aresessions where adults can learn how to make decorations and Christmasstockings, and take home the results.

In the small, pretty Welsh capital,Cardiff, there is a VictorianChristmas Tour. By contrast, anothertradition in the far north of Scotland isthe Ba’ Games in Orkney – massrugby games where everyone joins thefun over Christmas and New Year. At www.visitbritain.com there are awealth of these regional events aroundwhich you can choose to build yourown unique winter stay.

New Year partiesThroughout the winter seasonnightclubs, restaurants and entiretowns lay on night-time events foryounger revellers.

In London and other cities, there arefireworks and entertainment on thestreets as the UK welcomes in 2013.

In Scotland, the wild celebrationsare based around what is calledHogmanay – the Scottish even have anextra day off to make the most of it!Glasgow and Edinburgh presentspectacular street parties and everyalehouse across the land will join in. At Stirling Castle there is a specialconcert as the bells chime in the NewYear, and a firework show (www.stirlinghogmanay.co.uk)

A season of ideas atVisitBritainFrom markets to walks, VisitBritainhas an inspirational website to guideyou to exactly the British holiday that you want. For example, did youknow there’s a rooftop cinema atLondon’s elegant Berkeley Hotelin Knightsbridge? Over Christmas,guests snuggle under blankets towatch classic movies with a festivetheme (www.the-berkeley.co.uk).

The VisitBritainwebsite is easy to search according to your particularbudget and interests. It also offersdetails of accomodation perfect forevery kind of stay, from stunning hotelsset within nature reserves to spa breaksand romantic lighthouse retreats for awinter break to remember.www.visitbritain.com

A visit to Britainaffords a glimpse

of a VictorianChristmas

Trafalgar Square, London

Edinburgh’s HogmanayTorchlight Procession Cardiff Castle tour

Waddesdon Manor Christmas celebrations in York

Tower of London ice rink Burlington Arcade, London

Promotional feature Promotional feature

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Save time and money on your trip to Britain at visitbritainshop.com

You’d be forgiven forthinking that Britain wastaking a rest after aspectacular and busy 2012,but in 2013 the British Isles

has an array of anniversaries andfestivals to celebrate – and you’reinvited to the party.

Go wild in ScotlandThe Year of Natural Scotland 2013is a year-long focus on making thewonderful, untamed Scottishcountryside more accessible to visitorsfrom home and abroad.

Whether you’ve seen the moodylandscape of Glen Coe in the latestJames Bond movie, ‘Skyfall’, or youknow a bit about the country’sdramatic history and the battles on its fields and waters, or you simplywant to enjoy some of the best extremesports in Britain, Scotland has adestination for you.

Throughout the coming year thereare events which will highlight all you

can enjoy of Scotland’s breathtakingviews, thrilling sports, outdoor art and historic landscapes. There arefantastic outdoor activity centres allover the country, offering routes forclimbing and mountain biking andfacilities for kayaking and white waterrafting. There are also fabulous spotswhere you can zip-wire through thetrees or go up in a hot air balloon.

The Year of Natural Scotland alsoinvites you to explore the wealth ofwildlife – from puffin spotting andwhale watching to country ramblesthat take you into the world of some of Scotland’s beautiful endangeredspecies like sea eagles and redsquirrels.

Around the country there are foodand drink trails so you can find outmore about how the best meat and fishmakes it from the great outdoors to thedining table, and how the variedcountryside of the Highlands andislands contributes to the uniqueflavour of each fine whisky you

sample. With 15 Michelin-starredrestaurants in Scotland, the food trailsare bound to lead you somewherewonderful…

Get culture in DerryDerry in Northern Ireland has been honoured as the inaugural UKCity of Culture for 2013. Local artistshave been inspired, not only by theNorthern Irish Troubles’ impact onthis old walled city, but also by thepeace process of the past two decades.

Derry is now a vibrant arts hub andfor 2013, visitors will be able to watchand take part in events all over the cityfrom libraries to theatres, shops tostreet corners. For example, ChineseCulture Week (Feb 9-16) will be acity-wide week-long celebration tomark the start of the Year of the Snake.Alongside concerts and comedyshows, other highlights include Offthe Cuff fashion evening at the FoyleBuilding (March 14), and HiddenTreasures Children’s Theatre

Festival at the Waterside theatre(May 16-23) .

From spring onwards there will besoccer, cycling, boxing, running andgolf tournaments to watch. Theseinclude the City of Culture SprintTriathlon on June 23. This athleticendurance test will take in some of thetown’s most beautiful features, withswimming in the River Foyle, thesegment on bike taking in Craigavonand Foyle Bridges, and the runningsection passing over the iconic PeaceBridge, finishing in Derry city centre.

Derry is surrounded by stunningcountryside and historic landmarks tovisit, and is the gateway to theincredible Giant’s Causeway coastline.It’s well worth venturing through thearea before or after your stay in thecity, timing your Derry stay for otherCulture 2013 highlights like MusicCity (June 21), or the Turner Prize – theUK’s prestigious annual art award forartists aged under 50. It is beingexhibited and presented outside

England for the first time ever (Oct 22-Jan 5 2014), as part of the festival.

See www.cityofculture2013.com for more information.

Glorious and green at 100In recent years, the garden has becomeone of trendiest places to expresspersonal taste. From vast gardensturned into funky meadows to cleverwindowboxes adding a splash ofnatural colour to city flats – gardeninghas become cool!

In spring, the RHS Chelsea FlowerShow celebrates its 100th birthday. A quintessential date in the calendar,this is when the elegant gardens ofBritain ‘come to London’. The RoyalHorticultural Society has hosted aflower show since Victorian times, butin 1913 the Chelsea Flower Showmoved to its current location,overlooking the Thames. Just a strollaway from the ever-fashionable King’sRoad, and with innovative gardendesigns and cutting-edge sculpture onshow, this is not just a sedate event forflower-lovers, but one of the hottesttickets in town – opened by the Queen(May 21-25, www.rhs.org.uk).

The RHS presents other fabulousevents around the country during thesummer, for those who can’t make it to Chelsea. These not only provide the chance to wander throughcarefully manicured or bold and wildgarden designs, but there are often live performances to enjoy whileyou’re there.

The first event of the season is theRHS Flower Show Cardiff (April 19-21). Set in Bute Park – one of the Welshcapital’s best-loved open spaces – thisthree-day festival of flowers featuresgarden designs, wild landscapes,marquees and spring allotments toinspire visitors in what they canachieve back home.

Hampton Court Palace FlowerShow (July 9-14) is presented in thestunning parkland around the palacethat Henry VIII called home manycenturies ago. Just half an hour by trainfrom central London, Hampton Court’ssetting offers a perfect opportunity toenjoy the flower festival spirit with atrip into British history.

In Cheshire, near Manchester, theRHS Flower Show Tatton Park (July25-28) is also set around a historiccountry house, Tatton Hall, withfabulous formal and natural gardens,surrounded by a vast, beautiful greenspace. Tatton Park is lovely to strollaround, and the show’s attractionsinclude chances to shop and dine,explore the gardens’ features andenjoy special events.

Birthdays to rememberBritain’s diverse cultural charms are in the spotlight throughout 2013.

It is 200 years since one of JaneAusten’s most loved novels, ‘Pride andPrejudice’, was published. Austen wasan internationally acclaimed writereven in her own time, yet she lived arelatively quiet life, and for her lasteight years she resided at ChawtonCottage in Hampshire. Today thismodest 17th-century home is calledJane Austen’s House Museum(www.jane-austens-house-

museum.org.uk). Here you can get afeel for what life was like for the writer,even seeing the table at which shewrote some of her greatest books.

For 2013, many events will look atthe place ‘Pride and Prejudice’ holds in British culture, and a tour in conjunction with theBritish Library isplanned.

Austen lived forsome time in Bath, too,and the spa town’s JaneAusten Centre holds itsannual, costumed JaneAusten Festival everySeptember (Sept 13-21for 2013, www.janeausten.co.uk). A visit atany time in the year allows you thechance to find out more about thewoman and her work… and stop off in the Regency Tea Room.

Another great British talent,composer Benjamin Britten, wouldhave been 100 in 2013. His work will befeatured at the Royal Festival Hall onthe South Bank in London (www.southbankcentre.co.uk) through to May,including concerts by thePhilharmonia Orchestra (Jan 20, Feb21 & 22). His powerful opera, BillyBudd, will be performed atGlyndebourne in August. This is aquintessentially English annualfestival of opera, set in the grounds of a

beautiful stately home. The audiencewears evening dress, and therestaurant menus are so carefullydevised that visitors start to perusethem online months in advance. It is aunique classical treat, set in thebeautiful East Sussex countryside,

and the offer of £30tickets for visitorsunder the age of 30 is awonderful way toensure a wide range ofmusic fans get to enjoythis cultural feast (May18-August 25,glyndebourne.com).

The summer festivalseason is notexclusively a classical

affair, of course. The GlastonburyFestival returns for 2013 (June 26-30),and throughout the summer there aremany brilliant rock, folk and popmusic festivals happening in cities and around the country, where you can enjoy good music, great food andeven sleep in a tent if you want! To find out what’s happening while you’re here, check out the links on theVisitBritain website.

But it’s not only literature andmusic that take centre stage. The sci-filegend ‘Dr Who’will be 50 this year! Ofcourse, the Doctor is somewhat olderthan that, but it’s 50 years ago that theBBC brought this intergalactic hero to

TV screens in the UK and then theworld. There will be ‘Dr Who’ eventsthroughout 2013, and in Cardiff Bay at the permanent Doctor WhoExperience interactive exhibition(www.doctorwhoexperience.com) youcan fly the TARDIS, come face to facewith Daleks, Cybermen and Sontarans,walk through sets and see behind-the-scenes images and the costumes of all11 Doctors.

A walk on the dark sideA rather more gruesome landmark in 2013 is the 125th anniversary of the time Jack the Ripper struck terrorwith his brutal murders in London’sEast End. His true identity was neverdiscovered, and to this day, walkingtours around the points where he killed his victims are still a source of grim fascination.

If you love to be spooked, theVisitBritain website is full of inspiredideas for spine-tingling days andnights out. Berry Pomeroy Castle,near Totness in Devon, for example, isa 14th-century castle with two famousghosts: the White Lady and the BlueLady. And the Ancient Ram Inn inGloucestershire is widely celebrated as ‘the most haunted place in Britain’.Certainly its creaky floorboards, coldbare walls and dimly lit nooks andcrannies set a fitting scene for tales ofmurder and child sacrifice…

600 years of St AndrewsIn 2013, the University of St Andrews(www.st-andrews.ac.uk) celebrates its600th anniversary. This is the placewhere Prince William and KateMiddleton met when they werestudents, but the history and tradition of Scotland’s oldest university goesmuch further back. During the yearthere will be special events in this prettycoastal town to mark the anniversary(www.standrews.co.uk) .

St Andrews is a byword for golfingexcellence. Known as the Home of Golf,the sport was first played here some600 years ago and the town boastsseven courses, including one of theworld’s finest, the Old Course, whichhas hosted The Open 28 times. Despiteits fame, it’s a public course and it’spossible for amateurs to book a gamethere (www.standrews.org.uk).

Plan your trip at VisitBritain The VisitBritain website features a selection of the best golf courses all overBritain’s beautiful countryside – fromNorfolk to County Down, from publiclinks courses with sea views to placeswhere soccer stars play. Search for ‘golf’ at www.visitbritain.com.

Whether it’s sport, shopping, cultureor relaxation you’re looking for, theVisitBritain website is a great place tostart planning your holiday for 2013.

Promotional feature

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

St AndrewsSea kayaking at Bow Fiddle Rock,Portknockie, Scotland

Mountain biking in Scotland

Jane Austen’s House Museum in Hampshire

For the latest news, follow us on facebook.com/LoveUK

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US

EU

M

2013: A year of culture and natureLooking forward to 2013, Great Britain is getting ready for a year of special events, city festivals anda wealth of brilliant excuses to get out and discover the great outdoors

Britain’scultural charms

are in thespotlight

throughout 2013

Save time and money on your trip to Britain at visitbritainshop.com

You’d be forgiven forthinking that Britain wastaking a rest after aspectacular and busy 2012,but in 2013 the British Isles

has an array of anniversaries andfestivals to celebrate – and you’reinvited to the party.

Go wild in ScotlandThe Year of Natural Scotland 2013is a year-long focus on making thewonderful, untamed Scottishcountryside more accessible to visitorsfrom home and abroad.

Whether you’ve seen the moodylandscape of Glen Coe in the latestJames Bond movie, ‘Skyfall’, or youknow a bit about the country’sdramatic history and the battles on its fields and waters, or you simplywant to enjoy some of the best extremesports in Britain, Scotland has adestination for you.

Throughout the coming year thereare events which will highlight all you

can enjoy of Scotland’s breathtakingviews, thrilling sports, outdoor art and historic landscapes. There arefantastic outdoor activity centres allover the country, offering routes forclimbing and mountain biking andfacilities for kayaking and white waterrafting. There are also fabulous spotswhere you can zip-wire through thetrees or go up in a hot air balloon.

The Year of Natural Scotland alsoinvites you to explore the wealth ofwildlife – from puffin spotting andwhale watching to country ramblesthat take you into the world of some of Scotland’s beautiful endangeredspecies like sea eagles and redsquirrels.

Around the country there are foodand drink trails so you can find outmore about how the best meat and fishmakes it from the great outdoors to thedining table, and how the variedcountryside of the Highlands andislands contributes to the uniqueflavour of each fine whisky you

sample. With 15 Michelin-starredrestaurants in Scotland, the food trailsare bound to lead you somewherewonderful…

Get culture in DerryDerry in Northern Ireland has been honoured as the inaugural UKCity of Culture for 2013. Local artistshave been inspired, not only by theNorthern Irish Troubles’ impact onthis old walled city, but also by thepeace process of the past two decades.

Derry is now a vibrant arts hub andfor 2013, visitors will be able to watchand take part in events all over the cityfrom libraries to theatres, shops tostreet corners. For example, ChineseCulture Week (Feb 9-16) will be acity-wide week-long celebration tomark the start of the Year of the Snake.Alongside concerts and comedyshows, other highlights include Offthe Cuff fashion evening at the FoyleBuilding (March 14), and HiddenTreasures Children’s Theatre

Festival at the Waterside theatre(May 16-23) .

From spring onwards there will besoccer, cycling, boxing, running andgolf tournaments to watch. Theseinclude the City of Culture SprintTriathlon on June 23. This athleticendurance test will take in some of thetown’s most beautiful features, withswimming in the River Foyle, thesegment on bike taking in Craigavonand Foyle Bridges, and the runningsection passing over the iconic PeaceBridge, finishing in Derry city centre.

Derry is surrounded by stunningcountryside and historic landmarks tovisit, and is the gateway to theincredible Giant’s Causeway coastline.It’s well worth venturing through thearea before or after your stay in thecity, timing your Derry stay for otherCulture 2013 highlights like MusicCity (June 21), or the Turner Prize – theUK’s prestigious annual art award forartists aged under 50. It is beingexhibited and presented outside

England for the first time ever (Oct 22-Jan 5 2014), as part of the festival.

See www.cityofculture2013.com for more information.

Glorious and green at 100In recent years, the garden has becomeone of trendiest places to expresspersonal taste. From vast gardensturned into funky meadows to cleverwindowboxes adding a splash ofnatural colour to city flats – gardeninghas become cool!

In spring, the RHS Chelsea FlowerShow celebrates its 100th birthday. A quintessential date in the calendar,this is when the elegant gardens ofBritain ‘come to London’. The RoyalHorticultural Society has hosted aflower show since Victorian times, butin 1913 the Chelsea Flower Showmoved to its current location,overlooking the Thames. Just a strollaway from the ever-fashionable King’sRoad, and with innovative gardendesigns and cutting-edge sculpture onshow, this is not just a sedate event forflower-lovers, but one of the hottesttickets in town – opened by the Queen(May 21-25, www.rhs.org.uk).

The RHS presents other fabulousevents around the country during thesummer, for those who can’t make it to Chelsea. These not only provide the chance to wander throughcarefully manicured or bold and wildgarden designs, but there are often live performances to enjoy whileyou’re there.

The first event of the season is theRHS Flower Show Cardiff (April 19-21). Set in Bute Park – one of the Welshcapital’s best-loved open spaces – thisthree-day festival of flowers featuresgarden designs, wild landscapes,marquees and spring allotments toinspire visitors in what they canachieve back home.

Hampton Court Palace FlowerShow (July 9-14) is presented in thestunning parkland around the palacethat Henry VIII called home manycenturies ago. Just half an hour by trainfrom central London, Hampton Court’ssetting offers a perfect opportunity toenjoy the flower festival spirit with atrip into British history.

In Cheshire, near Manchester, theRHS Flower Show Tatton Park (July25-28) is also set around a historiccountry house, Tatton Hall, withfabulous formal and natural gardens,surrounded by a vast, beautiful greenspace. Tatton Park is lovely to strollaround, and the show’s attractionsinclude chances to shop and dine,explore the gardens’ features andenjoy special events.

Birthdays to rememberBritain’s diverse cultural charms are in the spotlight throughout 2013.

It is 200 years since one of JaneAusten’s most loved novels, ‘Pride andPrejudice’, was published. Austen wasan internationally acclaimed writereven in her own time, yet she lived arelatively quiet life, and for her lasteight years she resided at ChawtonCottage in Hampshire. Today thismodest 17th-century home is calledJane Austen’s House Museum(www.jane-austens-house-

museum.org.uk). Here you can get afeel for what life was like for the writer,even seeing the table at which shewrote some of her greatest books.

For 2013, many events will look atthe place ‘Pride and Prejudice’ holds in British culture, and a tour in conjunction with theBritish Library isplanned.

Austen lived forsome time in Bath, too,and the spa town’s JaneAusten Centre holds itsannual, costumed JaneAusten Festival everySeptember (Sept 13-21for 2013, www.janeausten.co.uk). A visit atany time in the year allows you thechance to find out more about thewoman and her work… and stop off in the Regency Tea Room.

Another great British talent,composer Benjamin Britten, wouldhave been 100 in 2013. His work will befeatured at the Royal Festival Hall onthe South Bank in London (www.southbankcentre.co.uk) through to May,including concerts by thePhilharmonia Orchestra (Jan 20, Feb21 & 22). His powerful opera, BillyBudd, will be performed atGlyndebourne in August. This is aquintessentially English annualfestival of opera, set in the grounds of a

beautiful stately home. The audiencewears evening dress, and therestaurant menus are so carefullydevised that visitors start to perusethem online months in advance. It is aunique classical treat, set in thebeautiful East Sussex countryside,

and the offer of £30tickets for visitorsunder the age of 30 is awonderful way toensure a wide range ofmusic fans get to enjoythis cultural feast (May18-August 25,glyndebourne.com).

The summer festivalseason is notexclusively a classical

affair, of course. The GlastonburyFestival returns for 2013 (June 26-30),and throughout the summer there aremany brilliant rock, folk and popmusic festivals happening in cities and around the country, where you can enjoy good music, great food andeven sleep in a tent if you want! To find out what’s happening while you’re here, check out the links on theVisitBritain website.

But it’s not only literature andmusic that take centre stage. The sci-filegend ‘Dr Who’will be 50 this year! Ofcourse, the Doctor is somewhat olderthan that, but it’s 50 years ago that theBBC brought this intergalactic hero to

TV screens in the UK and then theworld. There will be ‘Dr Who’ eventsthroughout 2013, and in Cardiff Bay at the permanent Doctor WhoExperience interactive exhibition(www.doctorwhoexperience.com) youcan fly the TARDIS, come face to facewith Daleks, Cybermen and Sontarans,walk through sets and see behind-the-scenes images and the costumes of all11 Doctors.

A walk on the dark sideA rather more gruesome landmark in 2013 is the 125th anniversary of the time Jack the Ripper struck terrorwith his brutal murders in London’sEast End. His true identity was neverdiscovered, and to this day, walkingtours around the points where he killed his victims are still a source of grim fascination.

If you love to be spooked, theVisitBritain website is full of inspiredideas for spine-tingling days andnights out. Berry Pomeroy Castle,near Totness in Devon, for example, isa 14th-century castle with two famousghosts: the White Lady and the BlueLady. And the Ancient Ram Inn inGloucestershire is widely celebrated as ‘the most haunted place in Britain’.Certainly its creaky floorboards, coldbare walls and dimly lit nooks andcrannies set a fitting scene for tales ofmurder and child sacrifice…

600 years of St AndrewsIn 2013, the University of St Andrews(www.st-andrews.ac.uk) celebrates its600th anniversary. This is the placewhere Prince William and KateMiddleton met when they werestudents, but the history and tradition of Scotland’s oldest university goesmuch further back. During the yearthere will be special events in this prettycoastal town to mark the anniversary(www.standrews.co.uk) .

St Andrews is a byword for golfingexcellence. Known as the Home of Golf,the sport was first played here some600 years ago and the town boastsseven courses, including one of theworld’s finest, the Old Course, whichhas hosted The Open 28 times. Despiteits fame, it’s a public course and it’spossible for amateurs to book a gamethere (www.standrews.org.uk).

Plan your trip at VisitBritain The VisitBritain website features a selection of the best golf courses all overBritain’s beautiful countryside – fromNorfolk to County Down, from publiclinks courses with sea views to placeswhere soccer stars play. Search for ‘golf’ at www.visitbritain.com.

Whether it’s sport, shopping, cultureor relaxation you’re looking for, theVisitBritain website is a great place tostart planning your holiday for 2013.

Promotional feature

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

St AndrewsSea kayaking at Bow Fiddle Rock,Portknockie, Scotland

Mountain biking in Scotland

Jane Austen’s House Museum in Hampshire

For the latest news, follow us on facebook.com/LoveUK

RO

B G

REIG

/SH

UTT

ER

STO

CK

JAN

E A

US

TEN

'S H

OU

SE M

US

EU

M

2013: A year of culture and natureLooking forward to 2013, Great Britain is getting ready for a year of special events, city festivals anda wealth of brilliant excuses to get out and discover the great outdoors

Britain’scultural charms

are in thespotlight

throughout 2013